The 2024 WIAA 2A State Tournament begins with regional action this Saturday, May 18th. 16 teams will compete at 4 various 'regional' sites in a single elimination bracket that will ultimately send 4 teams to Bellingham, WA for the Semi-Finals and Finals at Joe Martin stadium. 

Semi-Final actions begins on Friday, May 24th with the winners advancing to play for the State Championship on Saturday, May 25th. 

Below are some of our top matchups and storylines to watch as well as Top Prospects to keep an eye on...

2A REGIONALS

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Can Tumwater 3-peat? 
Tumwater has won back-to-back state championships primarily on the strength of their pitching. In 2022, they went the distance as the #4 seed and allowed only 6 runs in 4 games which was highlighted by a tense 1-0 victory over Columbia River in the title game. Then last year in 2023 they were the #2 overall seed and only gave up 4 runs in 4 games with yet another close call in the title game as they topped Lynden 2-1. It will be more of an uphill battle this season as they look to advance as the 8 seed, but this particular club is a bit more offensive in the past with ‘25 OF Derek Thompson, ‘25 OF Will Bond, ‘24 SS Eddie Marson, ‘26 Jimmy Womach and ‘25 Landon Roy providing a lot of production from the top half of the line-up. If their arms can get on a roll, they will be a tough out yet again this year. 

Enumclaw on a 21 game win streak. 
The Hornets dropped their season opener to the aforementioned T-Birds way back in early March. But since then they’ve rattled off 21 straight victories and secured themselves the #1 overall seed. The rotation is led by ‘25 Cooper Markham (Oregon commit), ‘24 Garrett Chavis and ‘24 Alec Johnson (Wenatchee Valley commit) being the top innings eaters. Markham has put up video game numbers for multiple seasons now and is one of the best arms in the state regardless of class. Offensively they get big contributions from Markham and Chavis plus ‘24 Karson Holt and ‘25 Landon Wall 2 of the top producers as well. It’s not much of a ‘hot take’ to proclaim the #1 seed as the team to beat going into the state tournament but it will take a valiant effort to knock them off at this point in the season. 

Top Contenders

#2 seed Columbia River 
The Rapids come in with a ton of momentum and positive vibes after winning 16 of their last 17 games. Up the middle, they are led by ‘24 SS Christopher Parkin (Central Arizona commit) who brings one of the most athletic skill packages to the diamond of any player in any class. On the mound look for ‘24 Zach Ziebell (Pacific Lutheran commit) and ‘25 Harrison Hoffarth to eat up a bulk of the innings with ‘24 Noah Larson making a comeback to the mound and contributing in a relief role. 

#3 seed North Kitsap 
The Vikings were tested early with tough match-ups against state teams Anacortes and WF West in the middle of March. Overall they got it rolling after that and went on to finish 20-5. Getting ‘24 Noah Sorensen (Oregon State commit) back after an ankle injury is a nice boost to a line-up that features consistent power in the middle from uncommitted juniors ‘25 Tate Stearns and ‘25 Nolan Rowe. On the bump, underclassmen ‘26 Jonathan Bourque, ‘26 Dawsyn Anderson and ‘27 Marcus Kim have been rolling as of late. Seniors Aaron Groetsch and Brandon Weiler could also toe the rubber in big spots this upcoming weekend. A potential 2nd round match-up between either Lynden or Ellensburg would be one of the most exciting contests in this bracket. 

#4 seed Anacortes
The Seahawks come in with a 17-8 record and are riding the momentum of a 3 game win streak. Look for ‘24 Kannin Crews (Shoreline CC commit) to be a major factor on the bump early as the senior has been a constant performer at the top of the rotation. ‘25 Jake Andrew should also likely see action after totaling over 40 innings this spring with a sub 2.00 era. Offensively, ‘25 OF Bo Mager has been a hit machine this season and currently sits in the 3 hole in the lineup. He’s surrounded by 2 other strong junior prospects in ‘25 Jack Metcalf and ‘25 Kevin Stunger. This regional of the bracket always has the chance to deliver drama as it sets up a potential match-up of #4 vs #5 with a trip to the semi-finals on the line. 

Potential “sleeper” #7 WF West
The Bearcats might be one of the most talented #7 seeds in recent memory. Of their 6 losses, 3 came vs. Tumwater and 2 of the 3 other losses came to opponents in the tournament (Columbia River, Lynden). The lineup is littered with athletes, especially at the top with ‘25 Deacon Meller, ‘25 Weston Potter, ‘24 Braden Jones (Tacoma CC commit). Not to mention elite 2-way prospect ‘26 Connor Coleman who can impact the game on all sides of the ball. On the mound, look for contributions from the aforementioned Coleman as well as ‘24 Nate Dahlin, ‘26 Cole Ozretch and ‘25 Grady Westlund. This battle tested group advanced to the semi-finals last season. After a narrow 2-1 loss to eventual champ Tumwater, they prevailed 5-4 over Selah to finish 3rd overall. 

Top Prospects

2024
Christopher Parkin (Columbia River/Central Arizona)
Zach Ziebell (Columbia River/Pacific Lutheran commit)
Noah Sorensen (North Kitsap/Oregon State)
Lane Simonsen (Lynden/Washington commit)
Luke Sterkel (Ellensburg/Wenatchee Valley commit)
Braden Jones (WF West/Tacoma CC commit)
Eddie Marson (Tumwater/Lassen CC commit)
Eian Peralta (Selah)
Karson Holt (Enumclaw/Western Oregon football)
Johnny MaCall (West Valley/Lower Columbia commit)
Easton O'Neal (West Valley/Washington commit)

2025
Kai Twaites (Ellensburg)
Jonathan Rominger (Ellensburg/Central Washington commit)
Tate Stearns (North Kitsap)
Deacon Meller (WF West)
Weston Potter (WF West)
Liam Ostrom (Ridgefield)
Bo Mager (Anacortes)
Derek Thompson (Tumwater)
Will Bond (Tumwater)
Cooper Markham (Enumclaw/Oregon commit)
Ethan Turley (West Valley)

2026/2027
‘26 Jonathan Bourque (North Kitsap)
‘26 Dawsyn Anderson (North Kitsap)
‘27 Marcus Kim (North Kitsap)
‘26 Connor Coleman (WF West)
‘27 Luke Overbay (Tumwater)